• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
  • Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
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  • 1 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 2 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 3 New choral society's growing response

  • 4

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 5 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 6 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 7 Waldon Triplets
  • 8 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 9 Mobile missionary

  • 10 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 11 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 12 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 13 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 14 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 15 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 16 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 17 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 18 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 19 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 20 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 21 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 22 A bird of their own!

  • 23 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 24

    Bidefordians
  • 25

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 26 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 27 Out of puff!

  • 28 Pannier Market's future?

  • 29 Littleham family's five generations

  • 30 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 31 Variety in summer weather

  • 32 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 33 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 34 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 35 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 36 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 37 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 38 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 39 School's link with cargo ship

  • 40

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 41 Artisans' Club

  • 42 New Lundy stamps

  • 43 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 44

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 45 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 46 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 47 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 48 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 49 Jumble sale fever

  • 50 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 51 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 52 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 53 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 54 Northam footballers of the future

  • 55 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 56 The Geneva marionettes

  • 57

    Married in 1908
  • 58 Filming at Hartland

  • 59 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 60 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 61

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 62 Modern living at Bideford

  • 63 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 64

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 65 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 66 Some mushroom!

  • 67 He beat the floods

  • 68 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 69 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 70 Hartland Dancers
  • 71 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 72 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 73 Blanchards ad.>
  • 74 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 75

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 76 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 77 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 78 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 79

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 80 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 81 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 82 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 83 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 84 When horses score over the tractor

  • 85 A roof-top view - where?

  • 86 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 87

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 88 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 89 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 90 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 91

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 92 By pony and trap to market

  • 93 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 94 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 95 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 96 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 97 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 98 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 99 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 100 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 101 New addition to Quay front

  • 102 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 103 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 104

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 105 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 106 Sweets derationing

  • 107 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 108 First ship in 8 years

  • 109 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 110

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 111 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 112 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 113 Warmington's garage ad

  • 114 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 115 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 116 Hartland's invitation

  • 117 North Devon Driving School

  • 118 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 119 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 120 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 121 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 122 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 123 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 124 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 125 Clovelly nightmare

  • 126 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 127 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 128 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 129 New look in the hayfields

  • 130 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 131 Sight of a lifetime

  • 132 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 133 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 134 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 135 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 136

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 137 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 138 New life for Hartland organ

  • 139 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 140 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 141 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 142 End of the line

  • 143 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 144 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 145 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 146 Bideford computer stars

  • 147 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 148 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 149 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 150 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 151 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 152 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 153 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 154 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 155 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 156 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 157 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 158 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 159 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 160 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 161 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 162 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 163 Bridging the stream

  • 164 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 165 Weare Giffard potato

  • 166 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 167 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 168 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 169 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 170 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 171 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 172 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 173 Emergency ferry services

  • 174 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 175 Picking the pops

  • 176 Last train from Torrington

  • 177 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 178 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 179 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 180 Life begins at 80

  • 181 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 182 Can spring be far away?

  • 183 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 184 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 185 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 186

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 187 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 188 Penny for the guy

  • 189 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 190 The art of the thatcher

  • 191 113 years at Instow

  • 192 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 193 No sale of Springfield House

  • 194 Service with a smile

  • 195 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 196 New civic medallions

  • 197 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 198 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 199

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 200 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 201 For crying out loud!

  • 202 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 203 Torrington in 1967

  • 204 Twenty-one yachts

  • 205 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 206 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 207 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 208 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 209 All for the love of a lady!

  • 210 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 211 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 212

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 213 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 214 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 215 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 216 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 217 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 218 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 219 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 220 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 221 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 222 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 223 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 224 New art gallery opened

  • 225 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 226 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 227 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 228 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 229 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 230 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 231 Puppet characters introduced

  • 232 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 233 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 234 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 235 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 236

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 237 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 238 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 239 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 240 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 241 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 242 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 243 Finished in 1876

  • 244 Loads of black and white

  • 245

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 246 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 247 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 248 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 249 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 250 In their new robes and hats

  • 251 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 252 Bideford loses training ship

  • 253 Caught in the act>
  • 254 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 255 Centenary of Gazette

  • 256 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 257

    Relatives all over the world
  • 258 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 259 Hartland postman retires

  • 260 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 261 New shipyard on schedule

  • 262 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 263 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 264 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 265 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 266 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 267 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 268 Decontrol of meat

  • 269 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 270 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 271

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 272 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 273 All aboard the ark

  • 274 Torrington's new amenity

  • 275 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 276 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 277 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 278 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 279 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 280 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 281 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 282 It really was the 'last time'

  • 283 What's the time?

  • 284 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 285 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 286 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 287 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 288 They are parted pro-tem

  • 289 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 290 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 291 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 292 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 293 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 294 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 295 Picking the pops

  • 296 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 297 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 298 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 299 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 300 Bideford regatta

  • 301 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 302

    Building works
  • 303 Torrington children build igloo
  • 304 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 305 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 306 Circus comes to town

  • 307 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 308 New Post Office

  • 309 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 310 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 311 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 312 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 313 School crossing patrol begins

  • 314 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 315

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 316

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 317 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 318 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 319

    Exhibition of school work
  • 320 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 321 Parkham plan realised

  • 322

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 323 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 324 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 325 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 326 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 327 Clovelly custom

  • 328

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 329 Off on a great adventure

  • 330 A man and his wheel

  • 331 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 332 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 333 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 334 Riverside mystery

  • 335 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 336 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 337 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 338 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 339 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 340 Traditions and skills still there

  • 341 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 342 From Bobby to Brian

  • 343 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 344 Police station view of Bideford

  • 345 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 346 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 347 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 348 Some 240 exhibits

  • 349 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 350 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 351 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 352 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 353 Ships at Bideford

  • 354

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 355 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 356 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 357 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 358 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 359 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 360 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 361 Just over a year old

  • 362 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 363 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 364 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 365 Cruising down the river

  • 366 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 367 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 368 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 369 Northam's almshouse

  • 370

    New gateway
  • 371 A story to tell!

  • 372 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 373 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 374 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 375 So this is the mainland!

  • 376 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 377 Happy Days!

  • 378 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 379 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 380 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 381 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 382 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 383 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 384 Capers on the cobbles

  • 385 Ten year old scrambler

  • 386 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 387 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 388 Six footed lamb

  • 389 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 390 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 391 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 392 Private home for public pump

  • 393 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 394 Simple Item 138
  • 395 Devil sent packing

  • 396 Revenge in style

  • 397 Recognise this resort?

  • 398 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 399 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 400 No laughing matter

  • 401 Burnard family reunion

  • 402 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 403 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 404 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 405 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 406 Peter poses for TV film

  • 407 The cab at the corner>
  • 408

    First prize
  • 409 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 410 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 411 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 412 Over the bank together>
  • 413 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 414 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 415 Appledore's largest

  • 416 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 417 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 418 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 419

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 420 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 421 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 422

    Was a missionary
3.5.1957 Robins win Hansen Cup

Robins Win The Hansen Cup

May 3rd, 1957

Bideford AFC pictured with the Hansen Cup after they had defeated Bude 2-1 in the final

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and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

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  • Christmas Eve at the Front

    An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

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  • Seafield House - the "Spooky House" of Westward Ho!

    The house on the cliff edge known locally as ‘Spooky House’ or even ‘Haunted House’ , was built about 1885.

    The road was especially built to enable access to the house and was initially known as Seafield Road; later it became Merley Road.

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  • Torrington May Fair Queen and Her Attendants

    Names from left to right:Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row);
    Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex;

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1911 Coronation Medal

Coronation Medal Presented on June 22nd 1911   Learn More

The Hoops Inn

The Hoops Inn close to Peppercombe Beach

The Quay at Appledore

Appledore Quay where Taw and Torridge Rivers meet 

 
Wynne Olley

Crowning Glory

12 October 1962

Their finest achievement to date...

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Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

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Torrington May Fair 1955

May Fair at Torrington concludes with the Carnival

At a dance last week the Carnival Queen and her attendants were chosen as seen above with the Queen - Miss Margaret Parish of Torrington - being crowned by the Mayoress, Mrs J H Long.

6.5.1955 Torrington Carnival Queen

From left to right: Miss Jane Sanders (High Bickington), Miss Agnes Vanstone (Shebbear), the Mayoress, the Carnival Queen, Miss Phyllis Sanders (Langtree), the Mayor and Miss Roslyn Mitchell (Little Torrington).

Gazette article dated 6 May 1955

Council to buy Torrington Drill Hall

Torrington Town Council are to purchase

the town's Drill Hall which is not now required for Territorial Army purposes.

5.1.1968 Torrington Drill Hall

Following a letter from the District Valuer, the Council have agreed to pay £3,600 for the unexpired term of the 99-year lease expiring December 25th, 2010. It is proposed to use the building, which is centrally situated in Fore Street, for recreational and social purposes.

Application is being made to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government for consent to the raising of a loan for the purchase.

Gazette dated January 5, 1968

Last From Torrington To Get This Medal?

Mr Reginald T Jones,

seen in the centre of the picture wearing the Imperial Service Medal, could conceivably be the last of Torrington Post Office staff to receive the decoration.

30.5.1965 Torrington Imperial Service Medal

No one seems to know whether the award, from the Queen, made for meritorious service, will be discontinued under the forthcoming changes in administration.

Mr Jones has just retired after completing 45 years in the Post Office service, beginning as a messenger and finishing as postman higher grade.

The medal was presented by the head postmaster of Barnstaple, Mr J Eddleston. Mr W S Hutchings, the then Mayor, and also on the Torrington Post Office staff, on their behalf presented an electric clock. Miss Avril M Beer, postal and telegraph officer, handed Mr Jones a barometer, the gift of Torrington and Bideford Sports and Social Club.

In the photograph with Mr Jones are Mr H R F Young, Mr B E J Quick, Mr D A Gould, Mr P Ellis, Miss M L Bissett, Miss E Hoyle, Mr W J Page and Mr L Steer.

Gazette article dated 30 May 1965

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